Turning Luxury Qatari Jet into Air Force One to Cost ‘Less Than $400 Million’

Parked in San Antonio, Texas, sits a Boeing 747-8 unlike any other. Originally a private aircraft commissioned by the Qatari royal family, the jet is a 13-year-old luxury liner outfitted with lavish amenities rarely seen in the skies. The aircraft features multiple bedrooms, full bathrooms, lounges, office spaces, a formal dining room, and even a playroom for children.

Designed as a flying palace, the 747-8 is now set to undergo a complete transformation to meet the rigorous standards required of a U.S. presidential aircraft.

Estimating the Retrofit Cost

According to the U.S. Air Force, modifying the aircraft to meet executive airlift standards is expected to cost less than $400 million. This figure includes integrating critical defense systems, secure communication capabilities, and mission-specific upgrades.

While earlier estimates from outside experts speculated the cost could reach $1 billion, officials familiar with the program clarified that many of those higher projections included overlapping costs—such as spare parts and training—that are already budgeted under the Air Force’s existing VC-25B replacement program.

The $400 million estimate focuses specifically on the retrofit itself: converting a luxury private jet into a secure, reliable airborne command center.

What the Retrofit Involves

Converting this 747-8 for presidential use is no small feat. Engineers will need to strip the aircraft down to its frame to begin the transformation. At a minimum, the upgrade will include:

• Hardened defensive systems to protect against threats.

• Encrypted communications to ensure secure global contact at all times.

• Advanced avionics and navigation systems tailored to national command needs.

• Power redundancy and shielding to protect onboard systems from electromagnetic interference or attack.

• Mission-focused interior layout changes to support both comfort and operational functionality.

The modifications are being handled under a classified contract. While details remain limited, the Air Force has confirmed it is preparing to award the project to a U.S. defense contractor, expected to complete the work later this year.

A Temporary Yet Capable Airborne Command Center

Although this aircraft is not part of the permanent VC-25B program—the long-term replacement for the current Air Force One fleet—it is being treated as a fully capable interim solution. The aircraft’s large airframe, extended range, and spacious interior make it well suited for long-duration missions with complex communication and security needs.

At 250 feet in length and with a range exceeding 8,000 nautical miles, the Boeing 747-8 is one of the most capable wide-body aircraft in the world. With the planned upgrades, it will also become one of the most secure.

A Rare Opportunity

Repurposing a pre-owned luxury aircraft for high-level government use is uncommon, but the Air Force sees strategic value in leveraging the jet’s size, condition, and availability.

While the retrofit process will be intensive, the final product will meet the same operational and safety standards expected of any presidential aircraft.